My Turn: Lost wallet ends in renewed faith

I lost my wallet in the Rite Aid at Seventh and Hook across from the Jack in the Box.

I laid it on the floor with some purchases while I was reading a store advertising flier. Then I forgot it as I picked up my purchases and went to the car to make a deposit at a local ATM.

Within 10 minutes I noticed my wallet was missing. I immediately returned to the store and looked where I thought I had left it, but it was nowhere to be found. I went in to the store and asked the manager if anyone had turned in a wallet.

No one had.

I kicked myself for my own negligence and then immediately canceled my credit cards, went to DMV and began the task of slowly rebuilding my documented identity. What a bummer, health card, Costco Card, and many others I did not even begin to replace.

My hope was that someone would return the cards, keep the money, return the cards and the darling photo of my 10-month-old granddaughter. Every day for the last seven days, I would check my porch to see if anyone might have driven by and thrown the wallet toward the front door.

Nothing appeared.

Then I received a 6 x 8-inch yellow envelope, with my address and my address and the word "Bible" hand printed on the back. I was thinking who would send me a pint-sized Bible? Next to it was written, "Acts: 4:12."

With curiosity, I opened the envelope and I noticed what looked like a worn Bible or Catholic Missal. When I dumped the item on the counter, out tumbled my old wallet.

I was flabbergasted and then I checked the contents, everything was there cards, drivers license, Costco and AARP cards, my granddaughter's photo.

And then I checked the cash.

It was all there, all of it. I was surprised that anyone would take the time, spend $2.05 to mail everything to me someone they did not know and could have probably used the cash.

The poorest county in the state with the third highest gang population in the nation, and it all boils down to we have great people living in this community, honest people, people who believe," In God We Trust." People who believe in each other.

As for the cash returned, I will donate it to the Salvation Army.

I still do not know who sent me my wallet, however one good turn will deserve another.

George Sutton lives in Apple Valley.

To submit a "My Turn" column, email DHolland@VVDailyPress.com.

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